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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 25, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – After a storm of outrage last week, including negative comments from the Canadian Heritage Minister, Canadian punk band “Living with Lions” is recalling their new album. The album stoked controversy due to its obscene anti-Bible artwork and depiction of Jesus Christ.

The album was produced through Black Box Inc., with a $13,248 grant from the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTOR), a project funded by the Canadian government. 

A recall statement on the Black Box website read: “In light of the recent controversy regarding the artwork for Living With Lions’ album, ‘Holy S**t,’ the band and label have voluntarily agreed to return the loan of $13,248.00 in its entirety, which was offered in support of this record. The product will be withdrawn from the domestic market immediately, and we requested our international partners to withdraw product internationally as well.”

“We understand the band’s desire to maintain their creative integrity. Therefore the album will be re-released as a non-FACTOR supported project in the coming weeks.”

The album was designed to look like a Bible, with black cover and gold writing, yellow, faded pages, and lyric layout similar to Bible verses.  It was subtitled, “The Poo Testament,” and represented Christ as excrement.

“The material was not intended to be offensive, though we regret it was interpreted that way,” the band announced through their producer. “Further, we regret the negative attention that this matter has brought to FACTOR. FACTOR is an integral part of supporting and sustaining Canadian music domestically and internationally, and their support of our work and that of other Canadian musicians is invaluable.”

Last week Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore expressed his astonishment at the group’s new album and reportedly contacted the CEO of FACTOR to express his concern.  “The content of this CD is offensive and the fact that that it is clearly designed to offend a group of Canadians based on their faith is simply wrong,” Moore’s spokesman told the Vancouver Sun.